?His figure shattered into millions of small pieces, pieces so small they could pass the gaps between grains of sand. The domain and the box were no exception to this fate.
The hundreds of clones clinging to him, tearing his flesh apart, had disappeared. Initially, he thought they would explode into small pieces of glass as well, injuring him further…but thankfully that did not happen.
The space turned dark, and as Alan found himself on a hard ground, he used the Ame-no-Sakahoko to help himself stand, he began to meditate, healing his injuries with the help of his breathing techniques.
The space was dark, and Alan placed his spear to his side as he sat down, patiently waiting for the Tower to announce his reward.
The wish, something that was promised to the challengers if they managed to clear the floors. This would occur in the very first floor, where they would be told this. Many speculated that it had limits, or even was a lie.
But thankfully, Alan knew it wasn’t a lie, the tower may pull tricks, but this wasn’t one of then, it would always reward the worthy.
He slowly meditated, healing his wounds and his transformation receded, his hair like golden silk descended to his shoulders and his blue eyes returned. His armour as well.
He recovered from his wounds, hearing a strange voice coming from around him, and yet strangely from within him as well.
[Well done.]
It seemed to congratulate him, Alan opened his eyes and found nothing else here except for his spear, he went back to meditating.
He recovered from his wounds soon enough, and with a satisfied smile, opened his eyes.
“I did it, damn.”
The ‘damn’ showcased his surprise, But this surprise was not to beat the tower. Alan eventually knew he would do it, and if it couldn’t be him, then it would be someone else who would do everything to get the cure here.
The one who was his final, trump card. His surprise was more or less indicated towards him…actually defeating the domain.
Yeah, it was towards that. Shocking, right?
He studied about that domain, but would theory always be correct? He could think of the many ways to defeat it during his time training, but to actually implement them was something else.
Inside the domain, he threw away his nervousness and gave into…himself. Gave into his own instincts and gut feelings, throwing all else aside, and then committed himself to it.
The way to destroy Ezra’s domain.
“I’d like to see him copy that.”
He boasted, as he finally heard a sound once again. A blinding light appeared, and his eyes were in pain, he grabbed his spear and became ready, but he had no need too.
The blinding light which hurt his eyes had calmed down, it receded into what was a calm, mellow light.
Alan, now without any hindrance, could finally see the source of the light. It seemed to originate from a white sphere the size of a human. The sphere would have been like a pure pearl if it was not tainted by the numerous cracks oozing a strange green liquid.
Alan felt danger when he saw the liquid, yet also felt a sense of familiarity. He somehow had a feeling that his body was connected to that liquid which corroded the pearl, but somehow…
He felt wary of it, his instincts told him not to touch it, and so he followed, staying away from the pearl.
[Congratulations, Challenger.]
A wicked voice left the pearl. Alan’s face grimaced as he heard it, his poor ears cried out in pain. Those sensitive guys had been through much abuse!
The voice was a mix of that of a wicked demon, the sound of screeching, the sound of something being corroded and that of a woman, mixed in. It was as strange a combination as it was horrible. No one would be prepared for that horrid voice.
“I much prefer your mechanical voice!” .
Alan cried out, as the voice spared his poor ears o refuge and continued.
[You have cleared the tower of trials.]
“Fuck make it stop!”
No one would listen to his pleas, however. Although it was horrid, Alan noticed that it was also having trouble formulating sentences, just like the one on the final floor. This one stumbled on the ‘Tower of Trials’ bit and tried speaking the same sentence again, and again. It succeeded only on the thirtieth try.
“Finally…”
Alan cried out in relief, as his ears were bleeding. The voice was like a shredder being thrown inside his ears… It shook him mentally and tortured him physically.
“Please don’t speak again…”
He desperately wished, but to no avail.
[Calculating the performance of the challenger.]
Alan cried, as the voice continued to recount his trials, expressing everything in excruciating detail. He had got so tired of it, he used mana to block his ears, so much so that he could only faintly make out a sentence.
His hands proved futile, so he had to do this. Finally, he cried out in relief. The torturous voice was now faint.
It was only an itch now.
Alan painfully waited for it to end, numerous times it would remind him of his deeds when he was in the towers floor. He shrugged it off.
The voice finally stopped, as the green liquid made a small pool around it.
“Weird.”
He remarked, and slightly lessened the mana blocking his ears.
[Time is of the essence.]
It muttered a weird statement, Alan somewhat understood it. He thought the green liquid, which was obviously corroding the pearl, was a result of his own actions. That maybe his clearing of the final floor was leading towards the tower’s demise. It had accomplished its purpose, to be cleared, now it just waited for death.
Those were just his own thoughts, he was oblivious to how wrong they were.
The tower would live even if it was cleared, it was just…there was an outside force that interfered with it. Consuming its essence as nourishment so stealthily that the tower had been fooled by it not once but multiple times.
It was unaware it was being fed poison.
[What…is your wish?]
It asked, but it did not want Alan to answer with his words. The light emerged from the pearl once again, and the liquid was like strings, trying to cover it. But it could not. The light escaped and entered Alan through his chest.
[Your motivation was incredible.]
[The source of your strength, of your will to surpass the trials, is commendable.]
[Sufficient knowledge has been required, materializing the wish.]
[To cure a cursed beloved.]
The light shone bright once again, and burnt his eyes, as well as his body. But unlike before, this seemed like an act to purify him. His skin was reformed anew, and his flesh followed.
He felt no pain, but felt warm, and calm.
The process ended, and the pearl before him lost all of its pure white light, like it was tainted, it turned black. It turned to dust, and the dust entered him as well.
Alan woke up, he looked at his hands. His wish.
A small bottle, made of a wood that seemed to exude power, was in his hand. The wood which made the container was so mystical and powerful, that Alan struggled to fathom its might. He used Dragon Eyes, and found out what it was.
[Item Name: Panacea Phial]
Description: The Panacea Phial is an item, shrouded in mystery and whispered about in tales, it was created by the first king of Elves, and no such has appeared again. It is a slender, crystal- clear vial adorned with intricate silver filigree and capped with a glistening emerald stopper. When held, it radiates a gentle, soothing light, giving it an aura of unparalleled potency. It was the most prized possession of the First King of Elvenheim. This one, is a manifestation of Alan Peccator’s wish to cure his sister.
[Properties]
The Panacea Phial is renowned for its extraordinary ability to cure all ailments and restore the health and vitality of the bearer. Its effects are as follows:
Universal Healing: Upon consumption, the Panacea Phial instantly heals all physical injuries, diseases, and ailments afflicting the bearer. It mends wounds, soothes burns, banishes poisons, and dispels curses with unmatched precision. Nothing can escape it. All evil falls when confronted with the legendary Panacea
Vitality Restoration: In addition to healing, the Phial replenishes the bearer’s strength, stamina, and magical energy to their peak levels. Fatigue dissipates, and the bearer feels invigorated and ready for any challenge. The bearer’s affinities to the elements will also change and be heightened, greatly increasing their strength.
Immunity Boost: The Phial grants immunity to curses, ensuring that the bearer remains protected against future harm from malevolent curses.
Aura of Rejuvenation: When uncorked, the Phial emits a radiant aura that envelops the bearer and nearby allies. This aura accelerates natural healing processes, gradually restoring their health over time.
Purification: The Panacea Phial can cleanse corrupted or malevolent influences from the bearer, such as possession or mind-control, restoring them to their true selves. Even the curses of Supreme beings are nothing to it.
Due to the wish of the creator, the phial is blessed with the ability to expand the potential of the figures who drink from it.
______
He didn’t even need to read it all.
Not even half. His eyes, automatically, skipped all the information and focused on a particular part of it.
The power to cure all curses.
The power, to finally end Samantha’s suffering.
𝑖.𝘤ℴ𝘮